Hairdressing scissors

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pair of hairdressing scissors that can be releasably connected with another pair of hairdressing scissors by magnetic members.

2. Description of the Related Art

A pair of hairdressing scissors that can be releasably connected to another pair of hairdressing scissors has been disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,192,590; 6,434,833; and 6,557,263. These patents disclose mechanical engagement for connecting two pairs of hairdressing scissors. The present invention is intended to provide a different design using magnetic members to connect two pairs of hairdressing scissors together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a pair of hairdressing scissors that can be releasably connected with another pair of hairdressing scissors by magnetic members.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a pair of hairdressing scissors includes two cutting members pivotally connected together. Each cutting member includes a handle having a first side and a second side. A first groove is defined in the first side of each handle, and a second groove is defined in the second side of each handle. A magnetic member is mounted in each first groove in a manner that the magnetic member has an exposed portion outside the respective handle. The exposed portion of each magnetic member of the pair of hairdressing scissors is adapted to be securely engaged with a second groove of a respective handle of a pair of similarly constructed hairdressing scissors.

A frame ring may be mounted between each magnetic member and a periphery delimiting the respective first groove. In an embodiment of the invention, each magnetic member has a thickness equal to a sum of a depth of the respective first groove and a depth of the respective second groove. In another embodiment of the invention, each magnetic member has a thickness greater than a sum of a depth of the respective first groove and a depth of the respective second groove.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a pair of hairdressing scissors comprises two cutting members pivotally connected together. Each cutting member includes a handle having a through-hole extending from a first side thereof through a second side thereof. A magnetic member is mounted in each through-hole. The magnetic members of the pair of hairdressing scissors are adapted to attract magnetic members of a pair of similarly constructed hairdressing scissors thereby connecting the pair of hairdressing scissors and the pair of similarly constructed hairdressing scissors together.

A frame ring may be mounted between each magnetic member and a periphery delimiting the through-hole. Each magnetic member has a thickness equal to or greater than a depth of the respective through-hole.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of two pairs of hairdressing scissors in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a side view, partly sectioned, of plural pairs of hairdressing scissors in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view of two pairs of hairdressing scissors in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a perspective view of two pairs of hairdressing scissors in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a perspective view of two pairs of hairdressing scissors in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a side view, partly sectioned, of plural pairs of hairdressing scissors in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a side view, partly sectioned, of plural pairs of hairdressing scissors in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a side view, partly sectioned, of plural pairs of hairdressing scissors in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a pair of hairdressing scissors <b>1</b> in accordance with the present invention generally comprises two cutting members <b>11</b> and <b>12</b> that are pivoted together by a pivot <b>10</b>. Each cutting member <b>11</b>, <b>12</b> includes a handle <b>13</b> on an end thereof and a blade (not labeled) on the other end thereof, with each handle <b>13</b> having an opening <b>131</b> for the thumb or index finger of the user.

Each handle <b>13</b> has a first groove <b>132</b> in a first side thereof and a second groove <b>133</b> in a second side thereof. Preferably, the first groove <b>132</b> has a depth equal to that of the second groove <b>133</b>. A magnetic member <b>14</b> is mounted in the respective first groove <b>132</b>, with a portion of the magnetic member <b>14</b> being exposed outside the handle <b>13</b> (see the exposed portion <b>141</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). In this embodiment, the respective magnetic member <b>14</b> has a thickness twice as a depth of the groove <b>132</b> or <b>133</b>. Alternatively, the respective magnetic member <b>14</b> has a thickness that is the sum of the depth of the first groove <b>132</b> and the depth of the second groove <b>133</b> in a case that the depth of the second groove <b>133</b> differs from that of the first groove <b>132</b>. Thus, the exposed portion <b>141</b> of the respective magnetic member <b>14</b> of a pair of hairdressing scissors <b>1</b> is fittingly received in the respective second groove <b>133</b> of another pair of hairdressing scissors <b>1</b>, thereby connecting the two pairs of hairdressing scissors <b>1</b> together. By repeating this connecting operation, plural pairs of hairdressing scissors <b>1</b> can be connected together, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. Since the cutting members <b>11</b> and <b>12</b> are generally made of steel or the like, the magnetic members <b>14</b> provide attraction for preventing disengagement of adjacent two pairs of hairdressing scissors unless a relatively large force is applied to overcome the magnetic attraction and the engaging force between the magnetic members <b>14</b> and the peripheries delimiting the first and second grooves <b>132</b> and <b>133</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a frame ring <b>15</b> made of less rigid material is mounted between the respective magnetic member <b>14</b> and the periphery delimiting the respective first groove <b>132</b>. The material of the frame ring <b>15</b> is selected to assist in insertion of the respective magnetic member <b>14</b> into the respective first groove <b>132</b> without adversely affecting magnetic attraction provided by the magnetic member <b>14</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, a pair of hairdressing scissors <b>2</b> in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention generally comprises two cutting members <b>21</b> and <b>22</b> that are pivoted together by a pivot <b>20</b>. Each cutting member <b>21</b>, <b>22</b> includes a handle <b>23</b> on an end thereof and a blade (not labeled) on the other end thereof, with each handle <b>23</b> having an opening <b>231</b> for the thumb or index finger of the user.

Each handle <b>23</b> has a through-hole <b>232</b> in which a magnetic member <b>24</b> is securely mounted. The respective magnetic member <b>24</b> has a thickness equal to a depth of the respective through-hole <b>232</b>. Thus, two pairs of hairdressing scissors <b>2</b> can be easily connected together through mutual attraction of the magnetic members <b>24</b> respectively of the two pairs of hairdressing scissors <b>2</b>. Detachment of the two pairs of hairdressing scissors <b>2</b> can be easily accomplished by applying a force sufficiently large to overcome the magnetic attraction between the magnetic members <b>24</b>. Thus, the user may combine plural pairs of hairdressing scissors according to need.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein a frame ring <b>25</b> made of less rigid material is mounted between the respective magnetic member <b>24</b> and the periphery delimiting the respective through-hole <b>232</b>. The material of the frame ring <b>25</b> is selected to assist in insertion of the respective magnetic member <b>24</b> into the respective through-hole <b>232</b> without adversely affecting magnetic attraction provided by the magnetic members <b>24</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates connection of plural pairs of hairdressing scissors in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates a fifth embodiment of the present invention that is modified from the first embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>. In this embodiment, the thickness of the respective magnetic member <b>14</b> is greater than the sum of the depth of the first groove <b>132</b> and the depth of the second groove <b>133</b> so that two adjacent pairs of hairdressing scissors <b>1</b> are spaced apart from each other. Thus, the overall hairdressing scissor assembly consisting of plural pairs of the hairdressing scissors can be used to perform special cutting techniques. The spacing between two adjacent pairs of hairdressing scissors <b>1</b> can be altered according to need. Alternatively, the spacing may not be uniform throughout the hairdressing assembly. For example, the spacing between the first pair of hairdressing scissors <b>1</b> and the second pair of hairdressing scissors can be different from that between the second pair of hairdressing scissors and the third pair of hairdressing scissors.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates a sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the respective magnetic member <b>24</b> has a thickness greater that the depth of the respective through-hole <b>232</b> without adversely affecting its function.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.